Powerful solar storm may trigger aurora borealis across Canada

Canada is currently experiencing a major geomagnetic storm that is causing widespread concern for power systems, satellites, and other critical infrastructure. The storm, associated with massive solar flares, is hitting all of Canada and has prompted warnings from both Canadian and American space weather agencies.

Space Weather Canada issued a warning on Friday afternoon, alerting Canadians to the potential impacts of the storm. The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration also issued a geomagnetic storm watch, the first since 2005, describing the event as a “potentially historic event.”

These geomagnetic storms have the potential to cause faults in power grids, disrupt satellite operations, and impact activities involving geomagnetism, such as aerial surveys and directional drilling. Additionally, the storm could make the northern lights visible across all of Canada on Friday night, providing a rare and stunning natural spectacle.

Robyn Fiori, a research scientist at the Canadian Hazards Information Service of Natural Resources Canada, explained that the storm was caused by coronal mass ejections from the sun. These ejections, resulting from solar flares, can contain billions of tonnes of plasma and magnetic field from the sun’s outer atmosphere.

Fiori revealed that three such ejections were “piggybacking on each other,” delivering a significant impact to the planet. One ejection had already arrived on Friday, with two more expected overnight. The fluctuations in Earth’s magnetic field caused by these ejections can have serious consequences for power systems, potentially leading to outages if the fluctuations become too severe.

In 1989, Quebec experienced a nine-hour blackout following a powerful solar flare, highlighting the potential risks associated with geomagnetic storms. However, Fiori reassured the public that Canada’s power operators and scientists were closely monitoring the situation and were prepared to mitigate any potential impacts.

BC Hydro, a major electricity provider in British Columbia, confirmed that they had been preparing for the solar storm and were monitoring for any potential impacts on their high-voltage transmission systems. While serious damage was not expected, the utility was taking precautions to ensure the safety and reliability of their operations.

Space Weather Canada indicated that the storm warning would be downgraded to a storm watch late Friday, lasting until Saturday afternoon. Fiori noted that the recent intense flare activity from the sun, including 16 X-class flares, the most powerful class of flares, was part of the sun’s natural cycle as it approaches its peak activity.

Despite the potential risks posed by the solar storm, Fiori also highlighted the possibility of a memorable display of the northern lights. She expressed hope that the activity would continue for several more hours, allowing residents in Ottawa and across Canada to witness this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon.

As Canadians brace for the impacts of the geomagnetic storm, experts are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety and stability of critical infrastructure. The rare occurrence of such a significant solar event serves as a reminder of the power and unpredictability of space weather.